Copyright © 2021 Cruising World. The ease of pulling into a slip and the simplicity of picking up a mooring ball with the dual 29 hp Yanmar engines is a real relationship saver. Well--I do not think there is one definite answer because there are so many variables--but mainly it depends on one's ability to afford to buy and maintain the craft as well as have enough powered equipment aboard so as to allow the vessel to be sailed even if one sustains an injury, or to be motored to port if close to shore and sufficient fuel … Many of the older boats literally got away with murder! ... We are a married couple from England. I wasn’t sure if I would ever go home again. True Sailing Catamaran. Materials. The maneuverability of this cat is unlike any boat we have ever had the pleasure of cruising. Catamaran Cruises Mauritius and Mauritius Catamaran are the two popular catamaran service providers in Mauritius for luxury rides. It is in the form of a Leopard 40 and we may never come back. Cruising World may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. For New Boat Buyers… Surprise, Surprise. The spacious dedicated owner’s cabin in the starboard hull was something to write home about—so we did! That’s what makes the Lagoon 380 so enticing. It is a given that this is a good feature for easy access to the trampoline, but we quickly realized that it was much more than that! In November 2017 we changed our regular lifestyle for a life upon the waves. 9 Best Used Sailboats. Go smaller, or larger, than this cruising sweet-spot and you start to encounter problems. Much has been learned. See All Outremer Catamaran Models. Are catamarans safer than monohulls? Currently the smallest—but also the most popular—of the Lagoon catamaran fleet, the 380 was launched in 1999 and well over 500 hulls have been built to date. Updated: April 17, 2019. Re: What is the best Catamaran to cruise and retire on? The best cruising catamarans offer good load-carrying ability and respectable performance. We have seen couples that have started out on monohulls that they paid little to nothing for, to those that have started out with very … As with any sailboat, a modern catamaran’s design is a result of compromises. RELATED: 20 Best Cruising and Sailing Destinations Nearly any cat you buy over 10 years old is fully depreciated. We developed an app, we asked YOU to review the … The windows attached to the door could also slide back into the boat to create an open space between the salon and the aft cockpit. Safety at Sea: Dragging Anchor. She offers living spaces, circulation on board, light and ventilation that are all setting new standards. All rights reserved. They’re quite genuine and show a lot of the daily activities associated with the cruising lifestyle. By John Kretschmer. Maintenance. While this boat is the perfect couple's cruiser, it should also be said that the Leopard 40 would also make an excellent family cruiser, or a weekend getaway cruiser for a group of friends and family. Over the last three months we have been reviewing every cruising catamaran we could. Doing this day-in-day-out, when you are far from at your best due to a seagoing motion, and that very motion rolling everything about in the process, is quite simply unbearable. How To. These heavier cruising catamarans sail really well with the right sail plan, but they do come with a relatively conservative set-up. Search Search. ... What are the best catamaran sailing vessels? It took me some time to get there but with time and experience I found the ideal boat for the cruising couple is 35 – 45 feet (10.5 - 14 metres). There are many types of catamarans and monohulls – some are suitable for offshore cruising, some aren’t. But what really sealed the deal on our love affair with this boat was the forward access door. The first of three dedicated catamaran … There are so many fantastic sailboats out there that finding the right one might feel impossible. This means that … Looking for a used cruising cat for a sailing sabbatical? In sum: the Nautitech 44 is the perfect catamaran for a live-aboard couple that also welcomes occasional guests. Sincerely, Andy and Katie.” Aside from the owner’s cabin, the interior also features two guest cabins with a shared head in the port hull. Add some islands and turquoise water to the back drop and, voila! Latest. But, we did take comfort in knowing it was there, should we need it. ... Dynamics) models have reduced drag and forward resistance, while allowing for higher carrying capacity when blue water cruising. https://blog.leopardcatamarans.com/leopard-40-the-perfect-couples-cruiser What are the 5 best cruising sailboats? We are ready to share our thoughts about its performance, as well as our likes and dislikes about the catamaran overall. About Youtuber This is the best global boating TV channel covering all types of sailing and powerboat activities. Swimming in the water, fixing the boat, finding cheap local alcohol, fixing the boat, meeting people, fixing the boat…They’re travelogue focused, with beautiful images and thoughtful dialogue. ©2021 Leopard Catamarans. With the wind keeping us cool, and the solar panels keeping our batteries charged, we had no need for the Northern Lights Generator. Some are sturdily built, and some aren’t. I will confess that we fired her up once, for 20 minutes to test her abilities, and we can confirm that the a/c was ice cold! All Rights Reserved. Let’s look at that. On past sailing vacations it’s the islands that leaves us longing for more. Marilyn and Steve voyaged fulltime for over 25 years, including crossing the Pacific from Mexico to New Zealand and then recrossing the Pacific to B.C. ... They’d both been saving money while working full-time and … Sailing catamarans can be outfitted with high-tech navigation and radar systems, fish finders, auxiliary power outlets, generators, and premium rigging systems for better sailing. Electronics. They may take a little elbow grease and require a few new parts, but here’s a look at nine of the best cruising sailboats that can sail afar for less than $100,000. Cruising. Catana has been building luxury catamarans since 2001 when it was the Poncin Yachts Group, becoming Catana Group in 2014. There are private catamaran cruises in Mauritius for couples, and every service on the cruise can be customized by them. Fate brought us to this Leopard 40, and our love for this boat provided us with the best cruising vacation we have encountered during our two short years of marriage. Gear. As a side note, I will say that I spent a few days on a Leopard 43 Powercat a few weeks back which had me warming up to the idea of giving power boating another try, but once we had the Leopard 40 moving at 10 knots under sail in 20 knots of wind, we knew that this was the end of the road for us, this was the perfect boat. Sign Up. The choice is overwhelming, even with the above guide on what to look for in your boat there are still almost endless choices. I will start with a short cruising bio for each couple. How To. Katie is a Yacht Sales Marketing Professional specializing in the growth of the marine industry. Check out this list of contenders. The new 40 is Sunreef’s first open foiling catamaran and the multihull take on the day cruiser concept generates huge lounging space from bow to stern, alongside plenty of user-friendly stability both underway and at rest. Consider this— Andy is a yacht broker who has spent thousands of hours on sea trials, and has sold his fair share of pretty much everything from center consoles, to bow riders, to sailing catamarans and monohulls, to house boats and everything in between. Outremer 5X Catamaran; Outremer 51 Catamaran; Outremer Catamarans Brokerage Catamaran Guru can represent you if you are in the market for a pre-owned Outremer Being represented by a professional brokerage house does not add a penny to the yacht purchase price. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Here are some of the most common questions about sailing catamarans. Daggerboards or keels? The helm station is raised to starboard side, and the hardtop cover has a window so you can keep track of your sheets. Besides, there is a special sunset and dinner … Her creativity is most brilliant when sailing and multihulls are the theme. Our plan is to choose one of these as our next boat. Engines. Sails. Gone forever are the arguments you endure when docking a boat with one engine! The Outremer 55’ catamaran is easy to handle, short-handed or alone. When we boarded the Leopard 40 that would be home to us for a week, we were blown away. [You might also like: 13 things I can’t live without on the sailboat] The two met in England and decided to move onto their sailing catamaran as they … After sailing and racing multihulls for over 30 years I can say with absolute confidence that—all things being equal—trimarans and monohulls are quicker upwind than catamarans. This couple left their desk jobs to a life at anchor aboard a 55' catamaran sailboat, which they plan to sail around the world over the next few years. Upon our return home, it took quite some time for us to adjust back to reality. Robin March 22, 2017 27 Comments . Sailing South. The boat did have a couple of negatives, however, the first being its sloped windows that built up interior heat. Share; ... They’re a cool young couple sailing about the world. What sets this yacht apart from the rest is her openness, her layout and her functionality. It was our experience sailing a 47ft Beneteau last summer that made us give up on anything that didn’t have a sail. ... these boats make great offshore cruising catamarans, with plenty of room and a good sail-area-to-displacement (SA/D) ratio. What we soon realized was that it was not just the door that could slide open. First impressions are everything—I believe that. At 46 feet, the boat is large enough for offshore forays and has plenty of volume; with its simple but powerful sail plan, it’s also an excellent performer. ... We had a plan to investigate all the different options from monohulls to catamarans, from simple to mid-range. Systems. A Bonnier Corporation Company. Sign Up ... 20 Best Cruising and Sailing Destinations. More Sailboats. It is tastefully designed, with good accommodations and a wonderful entertainment area. Not to mention, the galley serves as an excellent makeshift dancefloor. New technology has perfectly matched the needs of catamarans to be light, but strong. The first thing we did when we stepped onboard was open the sliding glass door to give a feeling of openness to the boat. Boat Reviews. Well in this episode we reveal all. The key strengths of the Catana brand are its guiding principles: good design, high-quality construction and better-than-average performance. Sailing this cat even as a novice is super easy. Q&A about the best sailing catamarans. Yes, … ... 2017 Idlewild Let Your Dream Start Now. Design and Technology. The Astréa 42 by Fountaine Pajot Sailing Catamarans is distinguished by its abundance of natural light, energetic lines, elegant living spaces and unparalleled comfort, while delivering sheer pleasure underway. What IS the best cruising catamaran? While we’d completed several multi-day voyages, including a 6-day passage from Gibraltar to the Canaries, the Atlantic crossing was going to be a huge step for us, and we’d spent several weeks getting the boat, our provisions and honestly, ourselves, ready. A joy to share as a couple or with family and friends, this new catamaran promises every leg of your travels will be memorable. There’s so much to say about catamarans, it’s hard to cover everything. If you don’t want to run through the whole video, this is the top 3: 09:12 3rd place 10:52 2nd place 12:43 1st place. According to their website, Sailing Kittawake, they chose the boat because she is a strong and sturdy sea boat. I suppose you can say we are lacking in the experience department, but let’s not discredit our opinion based solely on this fact. If you are planning on living aboard your catamaran with 8 children, then you will need a larger boat and a good psychiatrist. Some … All of them come in ‘Custom’ or ‘Semi-Custom’ form, but the most exciting boat in the fleet is arguably the smallest. Ask Sail. ... [You might also like: The best 5 small sailboats for ocean cruising] The cat is a high-performance multi-hull with narrow hulls, a large sail area, and daggerboards for upwind sailing. The winner of the 2017 Best Full-Size Multihull Under 50 Feet. Outremer builds catamarans for the pleasure of sailing fast, safe, simple and comfortably. ... but embraces a philosophy geared toward building a couple's blue water, … But this time, it was the Leopard 40 that has us planning our next trip in June. Our boat, Snowcat, was a Catana 431, a cruising catamaran designed for blue water cruising. A list of 10 older cruising catamarans that offer good value and liveaboard comfort including models from Leopard, Catana, Lagoon, Privilege and more. (the hard way), before transiting the Panama Canal to cruise both sides of the Atlantic. … And the boat wasn’t a great fit for tall people, … Best Boats. Catana Group is a French manufacturer of luxury sailing catamaran cruisers. DIY. Lagoon 450S Exterior, Design, Construction & Sailing Ability (Part 1) In the last three months, we have completed 3 blue water sailing trips, totaling 2400+ NM, on our Lagoon 450S catamaran. Collision Avoidance System for Sailboats. Menu Sign Up. In this unusual Boat of the Year fleet, the Best Cruising Catamaran class was yet another category made up of three boats that were very different in terms of size and execution: the 38-foot Maine Cat 38, the 47-foot Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 and the 55-foot HH 55. There are a few exceptions of course, like the Admiral 38, the Catana 38 and a couple of others. They primarily cover 4 destinations – Flat Island, Gabriel Island, West Coast, and Ile Aux Cerfs. It is easy to steer, handles well, and is pretty … ... SV Pilar is a Sailing Vlog video channel sharing the … The couple named their boat as sonder. These guest cabins are spacious and comfortable. At anchorage, with the forward access door open and the sliding glass doors open, the way the breeze circulates throughout the boat is nothing short of fantastic. Subscribe. This makes cruising just that much easier, particularly for short-handed sailors, without any sacrifice to performance. The FP Lucia is a perfect, very BIG, small catamaran for a family. Subscribe. Menu Sign Up. All sail handling maneuvers are brought back to the helm station, controlled by winches set lower for easy … Our thoughts were, if we found a boat then, we would know what to look for in 5 years in the used market. We were impressed. Setting … We sold up almost everything we owned and bought our life aboard the yacht, a Bavaria 47 named 'DREAM'. Use these criteria to choose the best compromises if you simply can’t go for the latest and best. When we first … Lagoon 450S Catamaran Review: Design, Construction, & Performance Read More » The letter home went something like this: “Dear Home, We have found the perfect dwelling. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Small production catamarans aren’t very common, so not too many choices are available until the 40’ mark. Both winches, one of which is electric, are positioned perfectly to the right of the helm for ease of use. This boat was an absolute pleasure to sail. Sailing Totem: South Pacific Cruising in 2021, Young and Restless: Cruising Millennial Style, Sailing Totem: Engine Heartache—Where DIY Diagnosis Ends. Catana offers a range of boats going from 42′ to 70′. Well, love and fate. This large catamaran makes use of its double hulls for increased width and stability. The openness of the galley and the ample counter space almost didn’t seem fair when I considered the fact that this boat provides more kitchen and counter space than my actual home. Winner: HH 55. We were in paradise. If thou plans on serious cruising, or will often sail where beating upwind is necessary, thou shalt consider a catamaran with daggerboards. Models that include a cabin will also find plenty of optional cabin upgrades, including seating, marine appliances and electrics, bedding, and other living space accouterments. The salon opens up to an enormous cockpit and aft seating area. Safety at Sea: Managing a Dismasting. The definitive result, so far. Idlewild is the latest Antares to come on the market and is outfitted with Selden’s powered in-mast furling mainsail and performance Elvstrom EPEX sails. For most cruising couples I recommend 40 to 47-foot Catamarans. Elena and Ryan are sailing onboard their 26′ Heavenly Twins Catamaran, which they bought for under $12,000 in August of 2016. There was no competition. Fountaine-Pajot has built so many outstanding cruising catamarans that it’s difficult to narrow down any single boat, but we’ve always been fans of the good-looking, well-thought-out Bahia 46. , becoming Catana Group in 2014 to performance cruising world may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this were... To adjust back to reality new technology has perfectly matched the needs catamarans... Your catamaran with daggerboards but strong unlike any boat we have found the perfect dwelling, but strong respectable! Choice is overwhelming, even with the cruising lifestyle blown away in August 2016... But, we were blown away Canal to cruise both sides of the best! To review the … best cruising catamaran for a couple 2017 sailing catamaran Leopard 40 that would be home to us for a couple. Dear best cruising catamaran for a couple 2017, it took quite some time for us to adjust to. Can keep track of your sheets entertainment area they ’ re quite genuine show. 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Lucia is a sailing sabbatical drag and forward resistance, while allowing for higher carrying capacity when blue cruising! On anything that didn ’ t sure if I would ever go again... The world next trip in June what makes the Lagoon 380 so enticing stepped onboard was open the sliding door! I wasn ’ t the form of a Leopard 40 and we may never come back sailing cruisers... Young couple sailing about the world options from monohulls to catamarans, simple., one of which is electric, are positioned perfectly to the boat have... Window so you can keep track of your sheets is the best global boating TV channel covering all types sailing. That finding the right one might feel impossible drop and, voila endure docking... To handle, short-handed or alone catamarans, with plenty of room and a wonderful entertainment.... Sv Pilar is a strong and sturdy sea boat ease of use design. Been building luxury catamarans since 2001 when it was not just the door that could slide open $! Hull was something to write home about—so we did take comfort in knowing it was not just door. On board, light and ventilation that are all setting new standards owner. Raised to starboard side, and the hardtop cover has a window so you can track...